The analysis of expenses for providing traditional Chinese medicine services in units under the Ministry of Public Health

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine in Thailand has gained increasing recognition and popularity, leading to a rise in both service units, personnel, and patients. Additionally, acupuncture is included in the benefit package of the universal health coverage and civil servant medical benefit schemes, making traditional Chinese medicine an alternative form of healthcare and disease treatment within the public health system. The analysis of expenses for providing traditional Chinese medicine services in units under the Ministry of Public Health is essential. This study aimed to serve as a guideline for allocating appropriate budgets and resources for service units that have yet to offer traditional Chinese medicine services, aiming to provide another health care option and enhance public access to traditional Chinese medicine. This study is descriptive research, analyzing various costs, including location, equipment or semi-permanent materials, consumables, Chinese herbal medicine, personnel labor, and utilities. The total initial investment costs amounted to 416,252.50 baht for improvements and 1,254,152.50 baht for construction, with monthly service costs totaling 45,531.83 baht. These costs might be adjusted to fit the context and other factors of the service unit.